Below are the projected starting lineups for each team playing on Thursday's NBA slate, along with notable injury news for each squad. For real-time updates to these lineups, check out our Action Labs NBA lineups page.
NBA Injury News
4:30 p.m. ET Update: Jordan Clarkson has been added to the injury report with a sprained right ankle and is doubtful to play Thursday. Mike Conley is not listed on the injury report in the second leg of a back-to-back, indicating that he will be available.
DeAndre Bembry and Fred VanVleet have been suspended for one game for their roles in an on-court altercation. Talen Horton-Tucker was also suspended one game for his role in that incident.
Andre Drummond has been cleared to return for the Lakers Thursday night after sitting out with a toe injury. Lakers head coach Frank Vogel said Kyle Kuzma will be a game-time decision due to significant tightness in his calf.
Two key injuries could put a damper on a great matchup tonight. Giannis Antetokounmpo is once again listed doubtful ahead of Thursday's game against the Dallas Mavericks and will likely miss his third straight game due to a sore left knee.
Pat Connaughton and Bobby Portis have alternated starts with Antetokounmpo sidelined the last two games, and both should see an increase in playing time once again. Kristaps Porzingis, who returned to the Mavericks' lineup last night after missing two games, is doubtful Thursday on the second leg of a back-to-back.
The Toronto Raptors will remain without VanVleet, Kyle Lowry and Rodney Hood on Thursday. VanVleet is sitting for the third straight game with a strained hip. Hood is unavailable for the fourth straight contest with a strained hip and Lowry hasn't played since the end of March.
On the other side of the matchup, Lauri Markkanen is officially listed probable after he was kicked in the leg on Tuesday. Zach LaVine and Coby White are also probable Thursday; LaVine continues to deal with a lingering sprained ankle that forced him to miss time recently.
Drummond and Kyle Kuzma are probable ahead of their game agains the Miami Heat Thursday. Drummond has been out a week with a toe injury since making his Lakers debut. Lakers head coach Frank Vogel stated that Drummond would return to the starting lineup over Marc Gasol once he was cleared to play. Kuzma is dealing with a strained calf, but has led the Lakers with 35 minutes per game since LeBron James has been sidelined.
Be sure to check the Action Labs NBA page for real time updates.
Projected Starting Lineups
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Miami Heat (7:30 p.m. ET)
Lakers Projected Lineup
PG – Dennis Schroder
SG – Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
SF – Kyle Kuzma
PF – Markieff Morris
C – Andre Drummond
Injury news: Andre Drummond (Toe) is active and Kyle Kuzma (Calf) is questionable
Heat Projected Lineup
PG – Victor Oladipo
SG – Jimmy Butler
SF – Duncan Robinson
PF – Trevor Ariza
C – Bam Adebayo
Injury news: Tyler Herro (Foot) and Gabe Vincent (Knee) are probable; KZ Okpala (COVID Protocols) is out
Chicago Bulls vs. Toronto Raptors (7:30 p.m. ET)
Bulls Projected Lineup
PG – Tomas Satoransky
SG – Zach LaVine
SF – Patrick Williams
PF – Thaddeus Young
C – Nikola Vucevic
Injury news: Zach LaVine (Ankle), Lauri Markkanen (Leg) and Coby White (Neck) are probable; Garrett Temple (Hamstring) is out
Raptors Projected Lineup
PG – DeAndre Bembry
SG – Gary Trent Jr.
SF – OG Anunoby
PF – Pascal Siakam
C – Chris Boucher
Injury news: Kyle Lowry (Foot), Rodney Hood (Hip), Patrick McCaw (Knee), Fred VanVleet (Hip), Paul Watson (COVID Protocols) and Jalen Harris (Hip) are out
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (8 p.m. ET)
Cavaliers Projected Lineup
PG – Darius Garland
SG – Collin Sexton
SF – Isaac Okoro
PF – Dean Wade
C – Kevin Love
Injury news: Larry Nance Jr. (Illness), Jarrett Allen (Concussion) and Dylan Windler (Knee) are out
Thunder Projected Lineup
PG – Theo Maledon
SG – Svi Mykhailiuk
SF – Aleksej Pokusevski
PF – Kenrich Williams
C – Moses Brown
Injury news: Isaiah Roby (Concussion), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Foot), Lu Dort (Concussion) and Darius Bazley (Shoulder) are out
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Dallas Mavericks (9 p.m. ET)
Bucks Projected Lineup
PG – Jrue Holiday
SG – Donte DiVincenzo
SF – Khris Middleton
PF – Bobby Portis
C – Brook Lopez
Injury news: Giannis Antetokounmpo (Knee) is doubtful; PJ Tucker (Calf) is out
Mavericks Projected Lineup
PG – Luka Doncic
SG – Josh Richardson
SF – Dorian Finney-Smith
PF – Nicolo Melli
C – Maxi Kleber
Injury news: Trey Burke (Calf) is probable; Maxi Kleber (Leg) and Kristaps Porzingis (Knee) are questionable; Willie Cauley-Stein (COVID Protocols) and JJ Redick (Heel) are out
Detroit Pistons vs. Sacramento Kings (10 p.m. ET)
Pistons Projected Lineup
PG – Saben Lee
SG – Hamidou Diallo
SF – Josh Jackson
PF – Saddiq Bey
C – Mason Plumlee
Injury news: Jerami Grant (Knee) and Rodney McGruder (Elbow) are out
Kings Projected Lineup
PG – De'Aaron Fox
SG – Tyrese Haliburton
SF – Buddy Hield
PF – Harrison Barnes
C – Richaun Holmes
Injury news: Nothing new
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Utah Jazz (10 p.m. ET)
Trail Blazers Projected Lineup
PG – Damian Lillard
SG – CJ McCollum
SF – Norman Powell
PF – Robert Covington
C – Jusuf Nurkic
Injury news: Jusuf Nurkic (Knee) is questionable
Jazz Projected Lineup
PG – Donovan Mitchell
SG – Joe Ingles
SF – Bojan Bogdanovic
PF – Royce O'Neale
C – Rudy Gobert
Injury news: Mike Conley (Rest) and Juwan Morgan (Calf) are doubtful
Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Clippers (10 p.m. ET)
Suns Projected Lineup
PG – Chris Paul
SG – Devin Booker
SF – Mikal Bridges
PF – Jae Crowder
C – Deandre Ayton
Injury news: Abdel Nader (Knee) is doubtful
Clippers Projected Lineup
PG – Patrick Beverley
SG – Paul George
SF – Kawhi Leonard
PF – Marcus Morris
C – Ivica Zubac
Injury news: Serge Ibaka (Back) is out
Phan’s Bet to Watch
As of 4:30 p.m. ET, Justin Phan is seeing betting value in one game: Bulls vs. Raptors. To get instant alerts when he sees an edge and his analysis on those picks, sign up for Action Labs.
